THE VILLA MEDICAL CENTRE
RE: NON-DIABETIC HYPERGLYCAEMIA
We are offering a routine blood tests to those patients who have been identified as at risk of developing diabetes, as per NHS guidance. This may be a recent blood test or one they had a while ago. There have been some new guidelines about diabetes risk and we are contacting all of our patients who are affected by these changes.
REASON
Your blood tests indicated that your blood glucose level is raised and either your fasting blood glucose or Hba1c levels are a little higher than they should be.
This is a non-diabetic hyperglycaemia level. The box below shows you where your readings lie compared with normal glucose readings and diabetic glucose readings.
| Test | Normal | Non- diabetic hyperglycaemia | Diabetes |
| Fasting Glucose | < 5.5 | 5.5 – 6.9 | >=7..0 |
| HBA1C | <42 | 42 – 47 | >=48 |
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
You have non-diabetic hyperglycaemia (sometimes also called pre-diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glycaemia) which means your blood glucose is raised beyond the normal range but it is not so high that you have diabetes. However, you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. You are also at risk of developing cardiovascular disease (heart disease, peripheral vascular disease and stroke).
What are the symptoms?
Usually there are no symptoms at all and this is picked up on routine blood tests. It is not an illness itself and you do NOT have diabetes, but it is a risk factor.
What is type 2 diabetes?
This is a condition where the amount of sugar (or glucose) circulating in the blood stream is too high, because the body can’t use it properly. This may be because you are not producing enough of the hormone insulin, or because your cells are resistant to the actions of insulin; often it is a combination of the two. This can affect every part of the body and can cause particular problems with the heart, eyes, kidneys, nerves and feet. Unfortunately, once the disease is well established some complications are irreversible, so catching it early is the key.
WHY ME?
We don’t always know why some people develop diabetes, but there are a number of risk factors, the commonest of which are obesity, physical inactivity, having high blood pressure or a history of heart disease or stroke. People of South Asian, Black African, African Caribbean backgrounds and those with a family history of diabetes are also at increased risk.
WHAT CAN I DO?
The good news is that if non-diabetic hyperglycaemia is treated it can help to prevent the development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The most effective treatment is LIFESTYLE CHANGES:
- PHYSICAL EXERCISE– 30 minutes of raising your heart rate, 5 times a week- this can be broken up over the course of the day e.g. two 15 minute jogs
- LOSING WEIGHT -if you are overweight o
- DIETARY CHANGES– more fibre and less fat
HOW CAN THE PRACTICE HELP?
We are offering all of our patients with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia a blood test- HBA1C. We are also recommending (as per guideline) repeat the test at least once a year to monitor your glucose level.
You can make an appointment with the nurse for a review to discuss the result, identify any other risk factors and put together a personalised action plan for you.
There are some useful websites with more information about diabetes and pre-diabetes: www.diabetes.org.uk, www.diabetes.co.uk.
Please do not hesitate to make an appointment if you have any questions or wish to discuss matters further.
Yours Sincerely,
DR J A PERKINS, DR J co*ckRELL & DR S BENNETT
FAQs
Hyperglycemia is a common occurrence in critically ill patients, even in those without any history of diabetes mellitus. During stress, injury or trauma, glucose metabolism will be altered because of changes in endocrine secretions and peripheral insulin resistance, resulting in hyperglycemia (1-3).
How to treat non-diabetic hyperglycemia? ›
The most effective treatment is LIFESTYLE CHANGES:
- PHYSICAL EXERCISE– 30 minutes of raising your heart rate, 5 times a week- this can be broken up over the course of the day e.g. two 15 minute jogs.
- LOSING WEIGHT -if you are overweight o.
- DIETARY CHANGES– more fibre and less fat.
What should your blood sugars be after eating?
| After eating |
|---|
| Adults without diabetes (see guidance) | <140 mg/dL |
| Children and adolescents (see guidance) | no set recommendation, generally < 180 mg/dL |
| Pregnant people (see guidance) | < 120 (2 hours after) < 140 (1 hour after) |
1 more rowMar 16, 2023
The causes of blood sugar rising in a nondiabetic include a major illness, a chronic medical condition, a hormonal disorder, or certain medications. Your family history and genetics also may contribute to nondiabetic hyperglycemia. So can certain lifestyle factors, like diet and your level of exercise.
What is a normal blood sugar level for a non diabetic person? ›
In nondiabetics, normal blood sugar levels are 70 to 140 mg/dl (in general), 80 to 140 mg/dL (after meals/before bed), and 80 to 99 mg/dL (fasting/upon waking and before meals).
Why is my blood sugar high in the morning if I am non diabetic? ›
Generally, the normal hormonal changes your body makes in the morning will boost your blood sugar, whether you have diabetes or not. If you don't, your body just makes more insulin to balance everything out. You don't even notice that it's happening.
How do you feel when your blood sugar is too high? ›
increased thirst and a dry mouth. needing to pee frequently. tiredness. blurred vision.
What lowers blood sugar immediately? ›
The fastest way to lower blood sugar is to take fast-acting insulin medication. Exercise can also help to bring down blood sugar levels quickly. Diet and lifestyle changes can help manage overall blood sugar levels, but for immediate action, prescription medication or medical assistance may be necessary.
Is 135 blood sugar high in the morning? ›
What should your blood sugar be when you wake up? Whenever possible, aim to keep your glucose levels in range between 70 and 130 mg/dL in the morning before you eat breakfast, and between 70 and 180 mg/dL at other times.
Can anxiety raise blood sugar in non-diabetics? ›
Stress causes the release of certain hormones, which can raise blood sugar. Long-term stress may lead to high blood sugar, which can cause health problems. Healthy lifestyle habits, such as getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, and practicing relaxation, may help manage stress and blood sugar levels.
The dawn phenomenon leads to high levels of blood sugar, a condition called hyperglycemia. It usually happens between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. The cause of the dawn phenomenon isn't clear. Some researchers believe the overnight release of certain hormones that happens naturally increases insulin resistance.
How often should I check my blood sugar for a non-diabetic? ›
In prediabetes blood sugar is slightly high, but not high enough to meet the definition of diabetes. For healthy people, blood sugar testing is typically recommended every three years or so; if prediabetes is diagnosed, repeat testing is recommended more often, at least yearly.
Can a normal person have hyperglycemia? ›
Insulin resistance
If your body is unable to produce enough insulin (or you don't inject enough insulin), it results in hyperglycemia. Insulin resistance is the main cause of Type 2 diabetes, but anyone can experience it, including people without diabetes and people with other types of diabetes.
Do healthy people have blood sugar spikes? ›
Summary: It is well known that glucose levels above or below certain thresholds can cause damage to organs; however, a new study reveals that 'normal' blood glucose levels are often not normal at all -- they stray much farther from the healthy ranges than we assumed.
Is hyperglycemia a symptom of prediabetes? ›
The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined prediabetes as a state of intermediate hyperglycemia using two specific parameters, impaired fasting glucose (IFG) defined as fasting plasma glucose (FPG) of 6.1-6.9 mmol/L (110 to 125 mg/dL) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) defined as 2 h plasma glucose of 7.8-11.0 ...
What is nice non diabetic hyperglycaemia? ›
NDH is diagnosed if blood glucose levels are above normal (HbA1c above 41 mmol/mol) but below the threshold for diabetes (HbA1c 48 mmol/mol). It is sometimes referred to as prediabetes. NICE recommends that everyone with NDH should have a weight check to measure Body Mass Index (BMI) and a blood test every year.
